Transport

SHIPS for America Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 30 April 2025

Weatherizing Infrastructure in the North and Terrorism Emergency Readiness Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 30 April 2025

Weatherizing Infrastructure in the North and Terrorism Emergency Readiness Act of 2025 This bill requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to develop and conduct an exercise to enhance collective domestic preparedness for and response to a terrorist attack during an extreme cold weather event (e.g., an event caused by a polar vortex when Arctic air expands southward). The scenario in the exercise must involve a terrorist attack causing cascading effects on critical infrastructure (i.e., systems and assets of vital importance to national security, public health, or safety) and must address how public and private entities can coordinate to mitigate such effects and bolster community resilience.    Within 60 days after completion of the exercise, DHS must submit to Congress an after-action report including the initial findings of the exercise, plans for incorporating lessons learned into future operations, and any proposed legislative changes.

Promoting Cross-border Energy Infrastructure Act

United States · United States Congress · 29 April 2025

Promoting Cross-b order Energy Infrastructure Act This bill establishes a new process for approving or revoking permits for the construction and operation of energy infrastructure across an international border of the United States. Thus, it replaces the existing process established under specified executive orders. The bill requires a person to obtain a certificate of crossing before constructing, connecting, operating, or maintaining a border-crossing facility for the import or export of oil or natural gas, or the transmission of electricity, across a U.S. border with Canada or Mexico. A certificate must be obtained from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for a facility consisting of oil or natural gas pipelines or the Department of Energy (DOE) for an electric transmission facility. As a condition of issuing a certificate, DOE must require that an electric transmission facility be constructed, connected, operated, or maintained consistent with specified policies and standards. FERC and DOE must meet a deadline for issuing a certificate as set forth by this bill. The bill also requires FERC to meet a deadline for approving applications to import or export natural gas to or from Canada or Mexico. The bill also requires the President to obtain the approval of Congress before revoking a permit issued under executive orders for constructing, connecting, operating, or maintaining an oil or natural gas pipeline, an electric transmission facility, or a related border-crossing facility.

TRANSPORT Jobs Act

United States · United States Congress · 29 April 2025

Transitioning Retiring And New Service Members to Port Ocean Rail and Truck Jobs Act or the TRANSPORT Jobs Act This bill requires the Department of Transportation (DOT) to develop and make public the Veteran to Supply Chain Employee Action Plan. Among other elements, the plan must identify (1) barriers and challenges of members of the Armed Forces who are eligible for counseling under the Transition Assistance Program and veterans in searching or training for employment in the supply chain industry, and (2) challenges that supply chain employers face when recruiting, hiring, or retaining veterans and such members of the Armed Forces. The plan must also recommend specific short- and long-term actions that DOT, the Department of Defense, the Department of Veterans Affairs, or the Department of Labor can take to help veterans and such members of the Armed Forces in becoming supply chain employees.

Expanding Regional Airports Act

United States · United States Congress · 29 April 2025

Expanding Regional Airports Act This bill directs the Department of Transportation (DOT) to establish a grant program for general aviation and nonprimary commercial service airports to improve passenger and flight capacity. Grants may be used for (1) activities that improve passenger and flight capacity at the airport, including the expansion of passenger and property screening facilities, runway lengthening, construction of hangars and associated infrastructure, and improving passenger facilities; and (2) costs incurred to comply with certain operational and security requirements. DOT must provide 3 to 10 grants per fiscal year to eligible airports (i.e., general aviation or nonprimary commercial service airports that serve a community with a population of at least 75,000).

Highway Formula Fairness Act

United States · United States Congress · 28 April 2025

To amend title 23, United States Code, and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act with respect to vehicle roadside crashes, work zone safety, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 24 April 2025

VARIANCE Act

United States · United States Congress · 17 April 2025

Vehicle Axle Redistribution Increases Allow New Capacities for Efficiency Act or the VARIANCE Act This bill allows commercial motor vehicles transporting dry bulk goods to operate on the Interstate Highway System with up to 110% of the maximum authorized weight on any axle or axle group.

Hammers' Law

United States · United States Congress · 17 April 2025

Combating Organized Retail Crime Act

United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2025

Combating Organized Retail Crime Act This bill expands federal enforcement of criminal offenses related to organized retail and supply chain crime. The term organized retail and supply chain crime includes criminal offenses involving the interstate transportation of stolen property, the sale or receipt of stolen goods, or theft from an interstate or foreign shipment that is committed by, in coordination with, or at the instruction of an organization. First, with respect to criminal offenses involving the interstate transportation of stolen property or the sale or receipt of stolen goods, the bill broadens the scope of conduct that qualifies as offenses by allowing prosecutions to be based on the aggregate value of stolen items over a 12-month period. Additionally, the bill makes the offenses predicate offenses (i.e., underlying offenses) for prosecutions under the federal money laundering statute and authorizes the criminal forfeiture of any property obtained from the proceeds of an offense. Second, with respect to criminal offenses involving theft from an interstate or foreign shipment, the bill also makes an offense an underlying offense for prosecution under the federal money laundering statute and authorizes the criminal forfeiture of any associated property. Third, the bill expands the federal money laundering statute to include offenses involving general-use prepaid cards, gift certificates, or store gift cards. Finally, the bill temporarily establishes a center within the Department of Homeland Security to coordinate federal law enforcement activities related to organized retail and supply chain crime.

Hammers' Law

United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2025

Interactive Federal Review Act

United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2025

Interactive Federal Review Act This bill revises the environmental review process for federal-aid highway projects to encourage the use of certain digital platforms and models. Specifically, the Department of Transportation (DOT) must encourage recipients of federal highway funding who are carrying out environmental reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) to utilize (1) interactive, digital, cloud-based platforms; and (2) high fidelity, three-dimensional digital models of infrastructure project elements, such as digital twins.  DOT must also select at least 10 federal-aid highway projects to demonstrate the use of these platforms and models in carrying out the environmental impact analysis and community engagement processes required under NEPA. Further, DOT must publish technology-neutral best practice guidance to encourage sponsors of projects that receive federal funds from DOT to use these platforms and models in carrying out the environmental impact analysis and community engagement processes required under NEPA.

Combating Trafficking in Transportation Act

United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2025

Combating Trafficking in Transportation Act This bill allows specific Department of Transportation (DOT) grants to be used for the installation of human trafficking awareness signs at rest stops and expands the DOT Advisory Committee on Human Trafficking. Specifically, grants for projects under the Surface Transportation Block Grant Program and the Local and Regional Project Assistance Program may be used for a project to procure and install human trafficking awareness signs at rest stops and welcome centers along the Interstate Highway System. The Local and Regional Project Assistance Program is also known as Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE). RAISE grants support multimodal projects for state, local, and tribal governments. In addition, the bill expands the membership for the DOT Advisory Committee on Human Trafficking to not more than 16 external stakeholder members (from 15) and requires the committee to include a representative from state departments of transportation. Current membership on the committee must include representatives from trafficking advocacy organizations; law enforcement; and trucking, bus, rail, aviation, maritime, and port sectors.

Vehicle Safety Research Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2025

Vehicle Safety Research Act of 2025 This bill provides statutory authority for the Partnership for Analytics Research in Traffic Safety (PARTS) program in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). PARTS is an accord among automakers and NHTSA, which enables participants to voluntarily share safety-related data, via an independent third party, for collaborative safety analysis. The bill specifies that NHTSA must develop a governing charter for the program;  NHTSA must contract with an external organization (i.e., a qualified nonprofit organization or institution of higher education) to conduct research to gather, analyze, and share certain traffic safety data and information; and any report, data, communications, work product, or other information voluntarily submitted to NHTSA or an external organization under the program shall not be disclosed to the public. Further, the bill specifies that NHTSA is not required to promulgate any regulations to carry out the PARTS program.

American Infrastructure Bonds Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2025

LOCAL Infrastructure Act

United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2025

TSA Commuting Fairness Act

United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2025

TSA Commuting Fairness Act This bill directs the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to submit to Congress a study on the feasibility of treating as on-duty hours the time TSA employees working at airport locations spend traveling between regular duty locations, airport parking lots, and bus and transit stops.

Commending Volkert, Inc. on the occasion of its 100th anniversary and its century of service to the State of Alabama and the United States.

United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2025

This resolution recognizes Volkert, Inc., headquartered in Alabama, for its 100th anniversary and its contributions to engineering, infrastructure, and economic development.

Combating Organized Retail Crime Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2025

Combating Organized Retail Crime Act of 2025 This bill expands federal enforcement of criminal offenses related to organized retail and supply chain crime. The term organized retail and supply chain crime includes criminal offenses involving the interstate transportation of stolen property, the sale or receipt of stolen goods, or theft from an interstate or foreign shipment that is committed by, in coordination with, or at the instruction of an organization. First, with respect to criminal offenses involving the interstate transportation of stolen property or the sale or receipt of stolen goods, the bill broadens the scope of conduct that qualifies as offenses by allowing prosecutions to be based on the aggregate value of stolen items over a 12-month period. Additionally, the bill makes the offenses predicate offenses (i.e., underlying offenses) for prosecutions under the federal money laundering statute and authorizes the criminal forfeiture of any property obtained from the proceeds of an offense. Second, with respect to criminal offenses involving theft from an interstate or foreign shipment, the bill also makes an offense an underlying offense for prosecution under the federal money laundering statute and authorizes the criminal forfeiture of any associated property. Third, the bill expands the federal money laundering statute to include offenses involving general-use prepaid cards, gift certificates, or store gift cards. Finally, the bill temporarily establishes a center within the Department of Homeland Security to coordinate federal law enforcement activities related to organized retail and supply chain crime.

Transportation Freedom Act

United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2025

Transportation Freedom Act This bill reduces taxes on auto companies and repeals specified environmental regulations on cars and trucks. The bill establishes a new tax deduction equal to 200% of eligible wages paid or incurred by domestic producers of automobiles or automobile components, subject to limitations. It also allows an entity to reduce (and adjust) its financial statement income (for purposes of calculating liability for the alternative minimum tax) by the amount of eligible wages it elects to deduct. The bill nullifies the 2024 rules of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regarding (1) the finalization of specified greenhouse gas (GHG) programs and the reduction of emissions from certain light-duty and medium-duty vehicles (e.g., cars and trucks that are under a certain weight) starting with model year 2027, and (2) phase three of GHG emission standards for heavy-duty vehicles (e.g., school buses and tractor-trailer trucks). It also repeals the 2024 rules of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) regarding corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards for certain cars, trucks, and vans.  Additionally, the bill eliminates (1) the option given to California to set standards for car emissions that are more stringent than those set under the Clean Air Act, and (2) the option for other states to adopt California's standards.  NHTSA and the EPA must establish new CAFE and GHG standards, respectively, for vehicles that are economically practicable and technologically feasible. The GHG standards may not require the production or sale of electric vehicles.

Protecting Outdoor Concerts Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2025

Protecting Outdoor Concerts Act of 2025 This bill requires the Federal Aviation Administration to issue or revise regulations to provide for temporary flight restrictions in the vicinity of an outdoor concert or music festival that has a daily attendance of 30,000 people or more. This requirement applies to manned aircraft and unmanned aircraft (i.e., drones).  

DRIVE Act

United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2025

Deregulating Restrictions on Interstate Vehicles and Eighteen-wheelers Act or the DRIVE Act This bill prohibits the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) from issuing any rule or regulation to require vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight of more than 26,000 pounds and are operating in interstate commerce to be equipped with a speed limiting device set to a maximum speed. The FMCSA issued an advance notice of supplemental proposed rulemaking on this subject on May 4, 2022.

NO TIME TO Waste Act

United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2025

New Opportunities for Technological Innovation, Mitigation, and Education To Overcome Waste Act or the NO TIME TO Waste Act This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to reduce U.S. food loss and waste (FLW) through federal coordination, grants, and education. Under the bill, food loss means the food that does not reach a consumer as a result of an issue in the production, storage, processing, or distribution phase. Food waste means that food intended for human consumption is unconsumed for any reason at the retail or consumption phase. The bill requires USDA to collaborate with the Food and Drug Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency to carry out a December, 17, 2020, agreement to coordinate federal efforts to cut FLW. Further, USDA must establish an Office of Food Loss and Waste to support the existing role of the Food Loss and Waste Liaison. The office must also, among other things, establish a grant program to support collecting data on existing state and local FLW policies (and the office must use the data to establish model policies for state and local governments); a block grant program for states and Indian tribes to develop and support food recovery infrastructure and innovative food distribution models; and a grant program to incentivize state, municipal, local, and tribal governments to establish public-private partnerships that commit to reducing FLW by 50% by 2030. The Office of Food Loss and Waste must also initiate a national FLW education and public awareness campaign.

USRC Funding Eligibility Act

United States · United States Congress · 9 April 2025

REPAIR Act

United States · United States Congress · 9 April 2025

NO TIME TO Waste Act);

United States · United States Congress · 9 April 2025

New Opportunities for Technological Innovation, Mitigation, and Education To Overcome Waste Act or the NO TIME TO Waste Act This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to reduce U.S. food loss and waste (FLW) through federal coordination, grants, and education. Under the bill, food loss means the food that does not reach a consumer as a result of an issue in the production, storage, processing, or distribution phase. Food waste means that food intended for human consumption is unconsumed for any reason at the retail or consumption phase. The bill requires USDA to collaborate with the Food and Drug Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency to carry out a December, 17, 2020, agreement to coordinate federal efforts to cut FLW. Further, USDA must establish an Office of Food Loss and Waste to support the existing role of the Food Loss and Waste Liaison. The office must also, among other things, establish a grant program to support collecting data on existing state and local FLW policies (and the office must use the data to establish model policies for state and local governments); a block grant program for states and Indian tribes to develop and support food recovery infrastructure and innovative food distribution models; and a grant program to incentivize state, municipal, local, and tribal governments to establish public-private partnerships that commit to reducing FLW by 50% by 2030. The Office of Food Loss and Waste must also initiate a national FLW education and public awareness campaign.

Expressing support for the designation of the week of April 24-29, 2025, as "Small Businesses in For-Hire Transportation Week".

United States · United States Congress · 9 April 2025

Protecting Election Administration from Interference Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 9 April 2025

Protecting Election Administration from Interference Act of 2025 This bill revises preservation and retention requirements for federal election records. It also revises criminal penalties related to election records and the voting process. Under current law, election officials must, for a period of 22 months from the federal election, retain and preserve all election-related records and papers. This bill extends the requirement to electronic records and election equipment. Next, the bill directs the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency to issue minimum standards and best practices for retaining and preserving records (including electronic records), papers, and election equipment, including protocols for observing their preservation, security, and transfer by the Department of Justice (DOJ) and a representative of each political party. In addition, the bill revises the federal criminal offense related to election records or papers to include reckless disregard of election record requirements resulting in the theft, destruction, concealment, mutilation, or alteration of a record, paper, or election equipment. Further, the bill allows DOJ to demand electronic records and election equipment be made available for inspection and generally prohibits DOJ from disclosing this information. The bill allows DOJ and candidates for federal office to bring an action in a district court to compel compliance with election record requirements. Finally, the bill extends criminal penalties related to voting interference to include intimidating, threatening, or coercing (or attempting to do so) an individual for processing or scanning ballots, tabulating, canvassing, or certifying voting results.

Infrastructure Project Acceleration Act

United States · United States Congress · 9 April 2025

Protecting Military Installations and Ranges Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 9 April 2025

Protecting Military Installations and Ranges Act of 2025 This bill places restrictions on the purchase of certain property by a foreign person (e.g., an individual or entity) who is owned or controlled by, is acting for or on behalf of, or receives subsidies from Russia, China, Iran, or North Korea. Specifically, the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) must review a purchase or lease by, or a concession to, any such foreign person of private or public real estate in the United States that is within (1) 100 miles of a military installation; or (2) 50 miles of a military training route, special use airspace, a controlled firing area, or a military operations area. Further, the Department of Defense and the Department of Transportation may not issue final determinations regarding specified projects (e.g., energy projects) that involve a transaction under review by CFIUS until CFIUS concludes its action.

End DWI Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 9 April 2025

Lowboy Auto Hauler Fairness Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 9 April 2025

USRC Funding Eligibility Act

United States · United States Congress · 9 April 2025

Brianna Lieneck Boating Safety Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 9 April 2025

ATC Protection Act

United States · United States Congress · 8 April 2025

Meat and Poultry Special Investigator Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 7 April 2025

Meat and Poultry Special Investigator Act of 2025 This bill establishes within the Department of Agriculture (USDA) the Office of the Special Investigator for Competition Matters. Specifically, the office must use all available tools (e.g., subpoenas) to investigate and prosecute violations of the Packers and Stockyards Act of 1921 (P&S Act) by packers and live poultry dealers. Further, the bill grants the office the authority to bring any civil or administrative action authorized by that act against a packer or live poultry dealer. Additionally, the office must serve as a liaison to the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission with respect to competition and trade practices in the food and agricultural sector, consult with the Department of Homeland Security on national security and critical infrastructure security in the food and agricultural sector, maintain a staff of attorneys and other professionals with appropriate expertise, and coordinate with the USDA Office of the General Counsel and the Packers and Stockyards Division of the Agricultural Marketing Service. As background, the purposes of the P&S Act are to assure fair competition and trade practices, safeguard farmers and ranchers, protect consumers, and protect livestock, meat, and poultry industry members from unfair, deceptive, unjustly discriminatory, and monopolistic practices. Those engaged in the business of marketing livestock, meat, and poultry in commerce are subject to the P&S Act.

Travel Trailer and Camper Tax Parity Act

United States · United States Congress · 7 April 2025

Travel Trailer and Camper Tax Parity Act This bill expands the exclusion of interest on floor plan financing from the limit on the tax deduction for business interest expenses to include interest on floor plan financing of certain non-motorized, towable campers and trailers.  Under current law, the tax deduction for business interest expenses is generally limited to 30% of adjusted taxable income. (Some exceptions apply.) However, under current law, interest on floor plan financing (financing used to acquire inventory for sale or lease) of motorized vehicles (e.g., self-propelled vehicles designed to transport people) is excluded from the limit on the tax deduction for business interest expenses. Under the bill, the exclusion of interest on floor plan financing from the limit on the tax deduction for business interest expenses is expanded to include interest on floor plan financing of any camper or trailer designed to (1) provide temporary living quarters for recreational, camping, or seasonal use; and (2) be towed by, or affixed to, a motor vehicle. 

Staged Accident Fraud Prevention Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 7 April 2025

Staged Accident Fraud Prevention Act of 2025 This bill makes staging a collision with a commercial motor vehicle a federal crime. Specifically, a person who is operating a motor vehicle and intentionally causes a collision with a commercial motor vehicle (or arranges for another person to cause such a collision) is subject to a fine, a prison term of up to 20 years, or both. If the collision results in serious bodily injury or death, the prison term may not be less than 20 years.

Crime Doesn’t Fly Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 7 April 2025

Crime Doesn't Fly Act of 2025 This bill prohibits the use of Immigration and Customs Enforcement warrants for the arrest, removal, or deportation of a non-U.S. national ( alien under federal law) as proof of identity at an airport security checkpoint unless the non-U.S. national is being removed from the United States pursuant to immigration laws.

Strengthening Cyber Resilience Against State-Sponsored Threats Act

United States · United States Congress · 7 April 2025

Strengthening Cyber Resilience Against State-Sponsored Threats Act The bill creates a joint interagency task force to facilitate agency collaboration on efforts to respond to Chinese state-sponsored cyber actors, including Volt Typhoon.  The task force must be established and led by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), an agency within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The task force must facilitate collaboration and coordination among the Sector Risk Management Agencies (SRMAs) specified in the President's National Security Memorandum- 22 (e.g., the Department of Defense, the Department of Energy, and the Department of Agriculture) to detect, analyze, and respond to Chinese state-sponsored cyber actors by ensuring that such agencies’ actions are aligned and mutually reinforcing. The bill directs DHS, CISA, the Department of Justice, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and specified SRMAs to provide the task force with analysis, inspections, audits, and other relevant information necessary for the task force to carry out its responsibilities. The production and use of information must comply with all applicable statutes, regulations, and executive orders, and task force members must have appropriate security clearances to access classified information. The task force must provide annual reports and briefings to Congress detailing its assessment of cyber threats and recommendations to improve the detection and mitigation of the cybersecurity threat posed by Chinese state-sponsored cyber actors. The first report must be provided no later than 540 days after the establishment of the task force, and additional reports must be provided annually thereafter for six years.   

Fog Observations and Geographic Forecasting Act

United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2025

Fog Observations and Geographic Forecasting Act This bill directs the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to develop and implement a project to improve coastal marine fog modeling and forecasting.  The project goal is to enhance vessel safety and reduce the economic impact of coastal marine fog events. Specifically, the project must  increase the number of marine-based observations through additional federal platforms and commercially acquired observations in locations where impacts from marine fog have major safety and economic impacts; advance geographic coverage, resolution, skill, and accuracy of marine fog modeling; improve NOAA's communication of marine fog advisories; communicate risks posed by hazardous marine fog events in a way that maximizes informed decision-making by the public; and provide decision support services based on environmental information that is actionable to the recipient of a marine fog advisory. Within one year following the bill's enactment, NOAA must develop a project plan detailing the specific research, development, technology transfer activities, resources, and timelines necessary to achieve the goal. The bill directs NOAA to meet with Indian tribes and public and private stakeholders regarding planning, development, and implementation of the project.

Impact Aid Infrastructure Partnership Act

United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2025

RIDE Act

United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2025

Restoring Industry Development in Entertainment Act or the RIDE Act This bill makes certain workers with a traveling carnival or circus eligible for P visas (nonimmigrant visas for athletes, artists, and entertainers). Such visas shall be available for workers who perform functions that are integral and essential to the carnival or circus, such as transporting and assembling relevant structures and equipment. Such visas shall only be available for a position if (1) there are not sufficient U.S. workers available, and (2) employing a non-U.S. national ( alien under federal law) will not adversely affect the wages and working conditions of similarly employed U.S. workers.

Driving Forward Act

United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2025

Driving Forward Act This bill directs the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to permanently allow states to exempt school bus drivers from the “under-the-hood” testing requirement for a commercial driver's license (CDL). As background, on December 2, 2024, the FMCSA renewed an exemption through November 28, 2026, that allows states to exempt all school bus driver applicants for a CDL from the engine compartment portion of the pre-trip vehicle inspection skills testing requirement, commonly referred to as the under-the-hood testing requirement. States must meet certain terms and conditions for the exemption. Under the bill, the FMCSA must make permanent the December 2, 2024, exemption, thus permanently allowing states to exempt school bus drivers from the under-the-hood testing requirement. States must meet the additional terms and conditions for an exemption, which include (1) restricting school bus drivers who are issued a CDL based on the exemption to the intrastate operation of school buses, and (2) requiring states to conduct the remaining pre-trip vehicle inspection components of the skills test. Further, the FMCSA must require any state participating in the exemption to submit an annual report describing the number of drivers that obtain a CDL under the exemption.

CLEAN FTZ Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2025

Containing and Limiting the Extensive Abuses Noticed in Free Trade Zones Act of 2025 or the CLEAN FTZ Act of 2025 This bill creates a system to classify countries based on compliance with international standards within their free trade zones and establishes related penalties. (Free trade zones are designated areas, typically located at or near ports, that contain production facilities and related infrastructure. Generally, these zones are treated as being outside the customs territory despite being physically located inside the geographic boundaries of countries.) Specifically, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) must identify, publish, and update a list of non-U.S. free trade zones that includes the identity, location, and administrators of each zone. Upon publication of the list of zones, CBP must then publish a classification of the countries in which those zones are located into four tiers based on specified standards (e.g., complying with international standards and countering illicit international trade). CBP must notify the government of each country of the tier to which the country was classified and periodically review the tier classification.  The bill directs CBP to take additional actions with respect to countries classified as tier II, III, or IV, such as creating a hotline for reporting instances of illicit international trade. The bill also establishes related penalties, such as authorizing the President to impose property- and visa-blocking sanctions on any foreign person that has facilitated or supported illicit international trade within a zone located in a country classified as tier II, III, or IV.

Haiti Criminal Collusion Transparency Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2025

Haiti Criminal Collusion Transparency Act of 2025 This bill requires the President to impose visa- and property-blocking sanctions on foreign individuals and entities that are involved in or have direct ties to prominent criminal gangs in Haiti. Specifically, the Department of State must periodically report to Congress on the ties between criminal gangs and political and economic elites in Haiti. The report must list (1) prominent criminal gangs in Haiti and the leaders thereof, and (2) Haitian political and economic elites who have direct links to criminal gangs and any organizations or entities controlled by these individuals. The President must impose sanctions on listed individuals and entities. Under the bill, the term economic elites means board members, officers, and executives of groups, corporations, or other entities that exert substantial influence or control over Haiti’s economy, infrastructure, or particular industries. Political elites means current and former government officials and their high-level staff and political party or committee leaders. The bill also applies civil and criminal penalties to persons that violate, attempt to violate, conspire to violate, or cause a violation of the regulations promulgated to carry out such sanctions.

Impact Aid Infrastructure Partnership Act

United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2025

Aviation Medication Transparency Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 2 April 2025

Aviation Medication Transparency Act of 2025 This bill directs the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to compile, publish, and annually update a list of medications that may be safely prescribed to pilots and air traffic controllers for the purposes of issuing a medical certification. The list must be publicly available on the FAA website and distributed to those seeking a license and medical certification. Currently, the FAA does not have a list of approved medications. However, the FAA does have lists for Aviation Medical Examiners of Do Not Issue medications and Do Not Fly medications.

Mental Health in Aviation Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 2 April 2025

Mental Health in Aviation Act of 2025 This bill requires the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to review and update its regulations and policies on mental health for pilots and air traffic controllers. The FAA must update regulations and take any other actions necessary to implement the recommendations of (1) the Aviation Workforce Mental Health Task Group, and (2) the Mental Health and Aviation Medical Clearances Aviation Rulemaking Committee (the ARC). The FAA must also annually review and update, as appropriate, the applicable regulations and policies on mental health-related special issuance for pilots and air traffic controllers. As background, an Authorization for Special Issuance of a Medical Certificate is a discretionary document from the FAA which allows an airman with a disqualifying medical condition to fly under a restricted medical certificate. Among other things, the review and update must reclassify and approve additional medications that may be safely prescribed to airmen to treat mental health conditions, delegate additional authority to aviation medical examiners (AMEs) consistent with the ARC recommendations, and improve the special issuance process for pilots and air traffic controllers.  The bill authorizes the FAA to take actions to recruit and train additional AMEs. The bill also authorizes an FAA public information campaign or education efforts to (1) destigmatize individuals in (or interested in joining) the aviation industry who seek mental health care, (2) broaden awareness of available supportive services, and (3) establish trust with pilots and air traffic controllers.

SHIELD U Act

United States · United States Congress · 2 April 2025

Stopping Harmful Incidents to Enforce Lawful Drone Use Act or the SHIELD U Act This bill authorizes and expands counter-drone activities by state, local, and airport law enforcement, and federal agencies. Specifically, the bill authorizes the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and state, local, and airport law enforcement to carry out Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System (Counter-UAS) activities on commercial service airport property to detect, identify, and mitigate threats posed by unmanned aircraft (i.e., drones). Further, the bill authorizes state and local law enforcement to carry out Counter-UAS activities off commercial airport property; the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must establish a process that allows for collaboration and coordination with these entities. In addition, each commercial airport must convene a task force to establish or modify the airport's tactical response plan for drone threats. The FAA and Transportation Security Administration must also publish (and update annually) best practices guidance on Counter-UAS activities at commercial service airports. The bill also allows DHS and the Departments of Defense, Justice, and Energy to contract with other entities to carry out authorized Counter-UAS activities. Further, the bill amends restrictions on the use of radio frequency jamming technology to allow state, local, and airport law enforcement to use the technology to detect, identify, or mitigate a drone threat. Finally, the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers must develop and implement training curricula on the use of Counter-UAS activities. The training must be available to state, local, tribal, and territorial law enforcement, as well as private sector security agencies.